 | As a coach or gym teacher, you may have helped, at some point along the way, to train or teach one of the multitude of Olympic medalists and professional athletes who have succeeded at the highest competitive levels---and have asthma.
It's important that you remember to support every young person's opportunity to reap the long-term physical and psychological health benefits of exercise to the best of your ability.
Each and every young person with asthma should be able to exercise and play sports with little, if any, limitation if the asthma is under good control and properly managed,
Be an integral part of the team that includes the youngster, parent and pediatric pulmonologist. As a team member, encourage your athlete to adhere to his or her asthma treatment plan and communicate closely with parents and physicians |
 | Know the facts about asthma. Approximately one out of four elite, competitive athletes at the high school or college level have asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm (the airway narrowing that occurs during or after physical exertion in susceptible young people). At least 10% of the youth population in general has asthma. |
 | Be aware of the signs and symptoms suggestive of asthma.
Many young people are embarrassed or frightened to report symptoms. Some do not realize what is happening to them. Others may be afraid that they will no longer be able to exercise or play sports. Be cognizant of complaints about chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty "getting air in", dry cough, and redness in the face or extreme pallor during or immediately after aerobic exertion. These warning signs may warrant parent notification. Encourage your athlete or student to "get checked out" for possible asthma.
For gym teachers of younger individuals, the "one mile" or President's fitness run may provide the signal. For team coaches, the tip-off can be breathing difficulty with wind sprints or suicides (during practice and warm-up sessions). At the high school and college levels, underperformance for the level of conditioning may be a key indicator. |
 | Your most important role as part of the asthma team is to help ensure that the young athlete trains hard, follows the individualized treatment plan and consistently receives the encouragement that he or she can and will win even with the challenges and obstacles that asthma may present. |
 | Be clear that there are certain times when a young person's asthma may present more of a challenge to outstanding athletic performance. These times may include seasonal allergies and upper respiratory infections or colds.
"Toughing it out" or "battling through" their symptoms is not the smart way to go. Instead, encourage and teach the youngster to adjust or increase their medicines as early as possible. This move decreases the chance of deterioration in asthma. Never discourage the use of asthma medications. Even at the professional and Olympic levels, many asthma medications are absolutely approved for use if deemed necessary, in advance, by the appropriate evaluation. |
 | It's to a coach's or gym teacher's advantage to be in the know about asthma treatment.
Understand which medications should be used in advance and which should be introduced as rescue medications should symptoms occur. No two young people with asthma will likely be on the same asthma treatment plan-and each individual responds a little differently to various medications. Treatment trials and adjustments may be necessary, and, a combination of two or three medications may ultimately be necessary for optimal control. |
 | If your athlete with asthma is not performing as well as expected, or, if more overt asthma symptoms arise, encourage them to take a break and incorporate their "rescue" strategies. They will most likely come back stronger in a short period of time. |
 | Recognize an athlete or student in trouble and one who may be in need of emergency care.
When there is no symptom improvement within 15-20 minutes of using a rescue inhaler (bronchodilator), it's a distress sign.
A youngster who is bent over with shoulders lifted, or is struggling to breathe, or has difficulty speaking, or has pulling in of the chest or neck muscles is definitely in trouble A gray or bluish discoloration of the lips or nail beds is indicative of extreme distress.
Encourage your charge to remain calm by encouraging slow and steady deep breaths. Remain with your athlete or student and immediately ask someone to call 911. |
 | Want to maximize physical exercise and athletic performance?
Encourage the consistent and proper use of a pre-medication inhaler(s) (if necessary), know the proper delivery techniques and supervise your athlete whenever possible.
Actively encourage a moderate to high intensity warm-up for five to ten minutes. A focused warm-up goes a long way to decreasing the airway spasm that can occur. Cool-downs after workouts slow the changeover of air in the lungs from cold back to warm and lessen the chance of symptoms occurring after aerobic exercise.
If you coach or teach cold weather sports, encourage breathing through the nose as much as possible. Recommend your athlete cover his or her mouth with a scarf or ski gator. Cold air inhalation, accompanied by the usual airway dryness that occurs with increased ventilation generated with exercise, can easily trigger exercise-induced bronchospasm. |
 | After serving as a source of encouragement and motivation all day long to athletes and students, coaches and gym teachers need an inspiring pep talk you can call your own. OK, here it is.
The better the athlete's state of physical condition, the better the asthma control. The better the asthma control, the better the athlete's performance. Now, get out there and help your youngster win over asthma. |
